Google To Build New $1 Billion Campus In NYC

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — On Monday, Google outlined plans for its more than $1 billion expansion in New York City.

Google Hudson Square will be the company’s primary location for its New York operations. Google put its first office in the city nearly 20 years ago, and plans to move into the new campus space by 2020, CBS2’s Aundrea Cline-Thomas reported.

The decision further proves that the Big Apple is becoming a tech hub.

People walk past a Google office building on 9th Avenue in Chelsea district on Dec. 30, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

The Silicon Valley giant said the talented workforce is part of the reason for its massive expansion.

“When we came to New York City almost two decades ago, it was our first office outside of California. It’s now home to more than 7,000 employees, speaking 50 languages, working on a broad range of teams, including search, ads, maps, YouTube, Cloud, technical infrastructure, sales, partnerships and research,” Ruth Porat, senior vice president and chief financial officer at Google and Alphabet, said in a blog post Monday. “Earlier this year, we announced the $2.4 billion purchase of the Manhattan Chelsea Market and shared plans to lease additional space at Pier 57. We hope to start moving into the two Hudson Street buildings by 2020, followed by 550 Washington S., in 2022 once the building is complete.”

Expert: What Google’s Hudson Square Campus Means For NYC

Local residents and people who work in the area are optimistic about Google’s plans, considering what that part of lower Manhattan offers.

“Everything here is like advertising agencies and like the salad place. That’s it,” said White Plains resident Evan Scott, who works in the area.

At the Hudson Food Court, manager Sarah Sonny said she is looking forward to having a new neighbor — and more importantly the business it could provide.

“It’s the ‘it’ thing now. Google is everywhere. So Google coming into this area, I think it’s very good,” Sonny said.

Monday’s announcement also came with assurances to be a good neighbor. Google outlined the work it is already doing, including donations to non-profits and providing free Wi-Fi.

Google Hudson Square Campus (credit: CBSN New York)

“If they want to help provide services and help make us all better employees, I think that will be lovely, but if it kind of feels like they’ve taken over then that would be unfortunate,” Connelly said.

The expansion comes on the heels of Amazon’s announcement, making the city even more of a destination for tech companies.

With the creation of the campus, Google can double its workforce in 10 years.